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Thursday, September 11, 2008

The Santa Letters

One year ago on Christmas Eve, William died. For Emma Jensen, the hit-and-run driver killed more than her husband; he killed her joy in Christmas and in every other day of the year.

Now, as Christmas approaches again, Emma finds herself sinking into a depression that nothing can breach-- not her job, not her love for her family, and certainly not the season. The Jensen children understand that Christmas will be strained this year-- all except 6-year-old McKenna. Of all the family, only she still believes in the magic of Christmas, and in miracles.

But that is about to change.

When an ornate letter and a mysterious package arrive on the doorstep, Emma and her sons find themselves joining McKenna on a magical journey to Christmas. Each day, a package and a letter signed Santa arrive for the Jensens, and as the meaning ofthe Santa Letters unfold, the Jensens come to realize that the joy of Christmas does not have to be lost forever- and that William may be closer than they think.

This year, the Santa Letters will take the Jensens ona Christmas experience that will show God's love can heal any wound, no matter how deep.

I love Christmas. It is my favorite time of the year. The decorations, the lights, the happiness, the music, the presents, the smells, the colors, the stories. With my first glimpse of this book I knew that I would love it too. The cover is a deep, deep red- almost maroon with fancy gold lettering and it just evokes that wonderful peace of Santa's love. Just holding it made me want to get out all the decorations and start filling my house with cheer. But I didn't.

No, I opened the book and read instead. I read of a happy loving family. Then I read of that same family torn with the unneccesary death of their husband and father and the depths of despair that the mother is feeling. Emma, the mother, is barely holding it together. She has sunk into such a deep depression that life is almost unbearable for her. Her biggest nightmare has come true and she cannot imagine living without her dear William. But, she must, as there are children to take care of, bills to pay and Christmas to try and celebrate.

Enter Santa. Santa has watched Emma turn from her usual happy, cheerful self to a shell of a person. Santa knows that something must be done to help Emma deal with her grief and start living again. So he devises a plan. Each and every day, starting with Dec. 13, Santa delivers a letter and some goodies to the family to help them realize that all is not lost. At first, Emma thinks that someone is playing a cruel joke on her family and that Christmas will be spoiled forever for them when they realize that there is really no such thing as Christmas magic. Then, with each passing day, Emma begins to look forward to the letters. She even begins to live her life again and start to find some happiness in what is still here for her.

Through the letters, the Jensen family learns the true meaning of Christmas and service and love. As you read, you too, will find these things. This is truly a story to be told again, and again. It will hold a special place on my bookshelf.

If, after readng, you would like to participate in helping someone find the true happiness of the season, Stacy has provided downloadable templates of Santa letters for us to use. Just go here and then go spread some Christmas cheer.